At Fresno Christian High School, a handful of students participate in equestrian events, starting with training and moving into competitions. The competitions include rodeos, dressages, jumping, rough stocks, and hobbies. These students commit time after school and on weekends to learn the skills and care for their animals.
Selah Neal, ‘27, recently started hunter jumping, which is a more technical event where the horse moves over a course of jumps. Judges pay attention to style and riding ability. Neal has also done dressage for five years, which is a European-style of riding that involves guiding the horse to perform rhythmic movements. She started riding in 2019 at the age of ten years old and rides her instructor’s horses – Zuma, Tam, Cal, and Looka. She is very open to learning Western as well.
Rynna Silva, ’25, competes in High School Rodeo District Six on her two horses, Scooby and Chantilly Lace. Her events include pole bending, goat tying and barrel racing. Silva has been riding since she was six years old. Her favorite memory from riding was when she participated in Silver State Regionals hosted in Nevada.
Tabitha Peters, ‘26, trains lesson horses at Copperwood Training Stables while barrel racing on the side. She has been riding for 12 years and intends to study Pre-Vet in the future. Peters values hard work and dedication and incorporates it into her riding ability. She has also been teaching lessons to kids and adults for five years.
“When I was little I always looked up to the older girls that rode out at Copperwood,” Peters said. “I thought they were all so talented, and I wanted to be like them. Over the last couple of years, I’ve found myself in that position. I always aim to set a good example to my lesson kids and be someone they can look up to.”
Kennedy Schwab, ‘26, competes in local barrel races on her mare Cinnamon. She started riding at age eight and is currently working on her goat-tying skills. Barrel racing is a timed rodeo event involving three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern. Goat tying is an event where you run down on your horse, jump off at full speed, grab the goat attached to the ground by a stake, and tie it with a string. Schwab would love to pursue college rodeo and train horses.
Dylan Fittro, ‘25, recently started saddle bronc riding and plans on competing in the High School Rodeo in the future. Saddle Bronc is a timed rodeo event where you have to stay on a bucking horse for eight seconds. Fittro’s interest in horses started as a toddler when he got a pony named Cocoa.
“I am wanting to try something new, and I feel that if you can’t face your fear, why not ride it,” Fittro said.
Danielle Arndt, ‘26, enjoys riding her family’s three horses for fun. Arndt got into riding eight years ago with her sister. Arndt’s horse is origonally from Oklahoma. Her favorite thing about horses is their different personalities and the stable role they play in her life.
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